A SUMMER OTTAVA RIMA
The crash of waves is always in the air,
And caravans adorn the crowded shore.
People roast on towels without a care,
Or find new rocky outcrops to explore.
Crunchy crystal sand grows too hot to bear,
Yet we stay: it’s what all Aussies yearn for!
In summertime, this is our golden place;
Then winter comes and banishes all trace.
James Aitchison
TEACHERS’ NOTES:
The ottava rima is a very rhythmic form of Italian poetry, first written in the fourteenth century.
Lord Byron and William Butler Yeats also used the form.
The rules:
Have fun!
Cupid has Struck
Labrador protects duckling,
while cat cuddles fox,
that’s when you can tell
Cupid has struck.
A dog and elephant water play,
And chicken warms some puppies,
that’s when you can tell
Cupid has struck.
A dog howls with the owl
giraffe and ostrich nuzzle necks,
that’s when you can tell
Cupid has struck.
These dear ones
love beyond feather, furs and skin;
see friendship
Is more than luck.
Inspired by stories of unusual animal friendships and playful Jazz songs.
https://www.boredpanda.com/unusual-animal-friendships-interspecies/
Mudpies for my Valentine.
I stirred the mixture
and poured it in
each round hole
of the muffin tin.
I baked them
in the burning sun
and waited
till each pie was done.
Mudpies, Mudpies
For my Valentine.
I tapped them out
and served her three.
“Oh,” she said.
“Are these for me?’
She was just about to
take a bite
when she said,
“These don’t look right.”
Mudpies Mudpies
For my Valentine.
“You eat one first,”
she cried.
“Oh I’m not hungry,”
I replied.
She laughed
then placed her hand in mine,
my funny
clever Valentine.
Mudpies Mudpies
For my Valentine
